Wow! Virtual Earth is impressive. I just went to the website, clicked on the ‘Locate Me’ button, told it to find me using my computer’s IP address, and it did just that in less than three seconds.
What is Virtual Earth? From the FAQ:
Virtual Earth is a new map and search system soon to be released by Microsoft. Virtual Earth brings together a number of components that allow the user to find out “What is here?” and “Where are the nearest things to here?” The components consist of maps, aerial imagery, photos, business directories, ratings and reviews.
Unlike yesterday, when news about Virtual Earth started trickling out, you can actually access the site (well, it’s early morning here in Amsterdam and most of the US is still asleep) and the site itself is speedy.
I also tried out the Location Finder application which uses the wireless access points visible to your computer to determine your location (so you need wi-fi for this to work). Equally impressive, although on installing it my PC rang all the alarm bells – Norton Internet Security halted the install to request authorization to run a ‘malicious script,’ (yes, go ahead) and Zone Alarm wanted authorization to allow it to access the net (yes, let it).
This app looks rather neat. It sits in your system tray so you can use it at any time. I can see value in that when you’re travelling as once your location is pinpointed, you can then search for businesses, etc, close to where you are. It works as well in Firefox as in Internet Explorer. And, most importantly, it appears to work fine in locations in Europe – not a typical US-centric application, therefore.
(Heh! Also a great tool if you get lost somewhere – fire up this service and you’ll find out where you are. Assuming there’s a wi-fi network nearby, of course. I wonder if it would work with a portable hot spot?)
Some people might be a bit uncomfortable with this wording from the license agreement:
In online mode, information about the access points will be sent to Microsoft and the online Location Finder service will determine your location. This information includes the signal strengths and basic service set identifiers (BSSID) of these access points. In offline mode, the Microsoft Location Finder product installed on your system will determine your location. Your location information will not be sent to Microsoft.
A clear choice, really – if you want to use this aspect of the service, agree to this. If not, don’t, and let the system pinpoint your location by your IP address (which limits your location options substantially when you travel).
Some people say Virtual Earth is the equivalent of Google Maps. I can’t say as I’ve tried Google Maps just the once. One difference I noted from that experience – Google Maps works only in the US. But you can read what others say.
Detailed info about Virtual Earth (still in beta) at Via Virtual Earth.
On first looks, I’d say very nice work, Microsoft.
Neville,
You actually got it the wrong way round. Google Maps works in other countries (e.g. maps.google.co.uk), it’s Microsoft’s Virtual Earth that should actually be called Virtual USA.
It may be able to locate you by IP address, but try searching for Amsterdam and you’ll see what I mean.
It’s why I don’t think it’s going to be the “Google Maps-killer” that everyone keeps suggesting.
N
No, Niall, I do have it the right way round.
I’m currently in Amsterdam and if I use either the locate by IP address or the Location Finder, it finds me with 100% accuracy, here in Amsterdam, and shows the map location. And it’s quick.
Not a lot I can do yet with this location, though. Not much turns up when I search. But it is beta.
As for Google Maps, you’re right, it is other countries. When I first tried it, quite a while ago now, it only worked for US locations.
There’s also Google Earth – http://earth.google.com/ – which I didn’t mention in my post. That, I think, may be the better comparison with Microsoft’s offering.
Neville, if you liked Google earth, you should test the NASA earth vizualisation tool, available there: http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/
You’ll have to install it on your desk, but the images are terrific !
Virtual Earth is pap
Virtual Earth and Google Maps both do nice things like show where your IP address is (although Virtual Earth just showed the general southern England region when I tried the IP address locator, so I’m not overcome with excitement) but
Neville, I have to agree with Niall here. If you do a comparison of Google Maps with MSN Virtual Earth you’ll find that Google has much better global coverage and MSN is only in the states right now. However where I’ve compared google maps with MSN in the states, the MSN satellite images goes down to a much higher level of detail and provide a better 3 d perspective.
Just do a comparison of London and Amsterdam, MSN doesn’t have particularly good satellite photos of either. Take a look at where Shel work on the other hand and you’ll see that MSN beats google maps hands down.
MSN – http://virtualearth.msn.com/default.aspx?ss=1100%20Glenwillow%20Ln%2C%20Concord%2C%20CA%2094521|1100%20Glenwillow%20Lane%2C%2094521|94521&cp=37.939055|-121.967837&style=h&lvl=19&v=1
Google Earth – http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1100+Glenwillow+Ln,+Concord,+CA+94521&ll=37.938765,-121.967822&spn=0.003754,0.007308&t=k&hl=en
Both links go down to the lowest level of detail but MSN is obviously better. You can’t do the same for Europe or the UK cause MSN ain’t there yet!! – at least from the satellite maps point of view.
Check out the blog googlesightseeing.com which provides daily coverage of interesting sites around the globe.
For Google Earth check out http://bbs.keyhole.com or googlearthhacks.com which show all the different apps that have been written for google earth to date.
Looks like I should have entitled my post ‘Virtual Earth very quick first looks’;)
I’m sure you’re right, Richard, re the completeness (or lack) of Virtual Earth right now. It is beta.
One thing – it isn’t just the States: it does cover other countries. There might not yet be much depth in what you can do re searching, etc, for those countries, but my experience with a (quick!) first look shows that it is highly accurate in its location pinpointing, showing me in Amsterdam (for instance) accurately.
But I am seeing more negative commentary out there right now than positive (follow Drew’s trackback for such a take).
Still, my initial favourable impression still stands. I plan to road test it on my next travels. To me that’s an acid test.
Gullaume, I tried that NASA app when it first came out a few months ago. Gorgeous inded, and if I was looking for a first-rate tool with photos of the earth, that would probably be it.
You need a pretty fast PC for it to work well, it seems to me. But very cool nevertheless.
Just to give ma little opinion :
I entered ‘Amsterdam’ in the search field … and I landed … in the State of New York.
Huh !
Xavier
Just to give ma little opinion :
I entered ‘Amsterdam’ in the search field … and I landed … in the State of New York.
Huh !
Xavier
To give a second little opinion (sorry).
The locate me button give me a large view of the whole Benelux instead of a closeup on Amsterdam.
It is normal, however : IP addresses are made of four numbers of 3 digits from which the first is realy usable to determine your location. It is only 999 possibilities and not very accurate indeed.
IPV6, the next step of Internet, should improve that.
It’s funny that everybody is exited by the MSN and Google stuff : Mappy does the same (even better) for more than 5 years now.
Xavier
Xavier, I’ll bet loads of such mis-locations will happen. Paris, Texas, for instance, instead of the other one 😉
What I know is this – I’m in Amsterdam (the other one) and if I tell the app to find me either by IP address or by triangulating wi-fi access points (ie, the Location Finder), it does just that and shows me a map of The Netherlands with Amsterdam smack in the middle. And it does it very quickly.
That’s pretty good.
As for other functionality, I’ve not played with that yet. This is just a first look…
MSN Virtual Earth – no European coverage?
I just had a quick look at MSN Virtual Earth. For those of you that missed this launch, Virtual Earth is:
Virtual Earth is a new map and search system soon to be released by Microsoft. Virtual Earth brings togeth…
MSN Virtual Earth – no European coverage?
I just had a quick look at MSN Virtual Earth. For those of you that missed this launch, Virtual Earth is:
Virtual Earth is a new map and search system soon to be released by Microsoft. Virtual Earth brings togeth…